Wichita eagle., 1887-08-02
THE GREAT FOCAL POINT.
The Santa Fe System in Southern Kans'

| The EAGLE several days ago called atten
ton to the fact that movement was then
on foot that would make Wichita the cen
trail point of the great Santa Fesystem in
Southern Kansas. That this was to be &C
complished by the Santa Fe establishing
direct communication between this city and
st. Louis, thus giving Wichita four great
lines, to the east, north, south and west. A
private telegram received at Topeka indi-
Gates that this is to be accomplished by the
purchase of the Frisco line.
The Commonwealth of Sunday morning
says: "a private telegram Of decidedly
startling character was received In Topeka
last night, direct from Boston, and In addi-
ton to emanating from reliable source In
the hub, was received here by gentleman
of unquestioned high standing In financial
circles in the east and especially in Boston,
leaving no room for doubt as to the relia-
bility Of the message, which was to the
effect that the Santa Fe had issued SIC, 0OO,-
600 new stock for the purchase and con-
struction of new lines. The dispatch stated
positively that the stock had been issued,
but for what specific purpose, beyond the
purchase of railways and construction OF
lines, nothing was said, further than vague
hint as to the Frisco deal 1t is well
known fact that there have been negotions
between the Santa Fe and Frisco, notwith-
standing The feeble denial from General
Manager Morrill,, at st. Louis, who merely
stated what was the truth, coming from him,
and that was that he knew nothing of any
such deal. He would not know of it, as
that part of the Frisco management would
come directly under the supervision OF
President Winslow, whose headquarters
ara in New York. 1t is also a
noteworthy fact that when the statement
was made public that the Santa Fe had &C.
auired control of the st. Louis & San
Francisco, there was no attempt at direct
and positive denial, either on the part Of
the Santa Fe or Frisco management, not
withstanding that the assertion was broad
and direct. The Santa Fe did make a
feeble attempt o: controverting the rumor
by the statement that no money had been
paid over in any such deal, and that If the
rumor had any foundation whatever, there
was nothing of definite character in it.
Where there is considerable smoke, there
is generally some fire, and the drifting to-
gether of the two systems has become so
noticeable of late, that it has created much
comment and speculation in railroad cir
cles. The Frisco has not only effected a
running arrangement with the Santa Fe on
Texas business, but a splendid through
business is now being done by the Santa
Fe and Frisco jointly between st. Louis
and Texas points. 1t is therefore strongly
argued that the deal has been actually con-
summated and that if the money has not
been paid over. it will be within a few
days. The Frisco is heavily indebted to
the Santa Fe, and in addition would make
just such Texas line as the latter COM
pany has long desired, in addition to
cutting off the aggressions of the Frisco
on Kansas soil, to the detriment of the
Santa Fe SYSTEM" If this purchase is
completed, we will still have two roads to
compete for st. Louis freights-the Santa
Fe and the Missouri Pacific. And while
the Frisco management have always been
popular in this city, the EAGLE believes
this movement, If consummated, will re-
suit to the good of Wichita in making her
the real center of one of the greatest rail
road systems in the west. The Peerless
Princess is the coming great commercial
and railroad center of Kansas and the
great southwest And the railroads are
beginning to see now what other people
saw some time ago.
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